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Tribute to Bob Hohler

The progressive housing cause lost one of our most ardent colleagues
with the death of Bob Hohler on June 2. Bob was the Executive Director
of the Melville Charitable Trust. He died while vacationing in England
with his wife, Karen. Bob was 78 years old.

Under Bob’s leadership, the Melville Charitable Trust has been the
most loyal and generous supporter of the National Housing Trust Fund
campaign. Out of concern about homelessness in Connecticut, the
leadership of the Melville Charitable Trust saw that the shortage of
affordable housing was the problem and directing resources to end that
shortage was the solution. Bob made that happen.

Bob understood that funders who seek social change have to take the
long view and invest in bold policy solutions. He championed the
support of policy advocacy by progressive funders.

Bob was honored in 2009 as the year’s Distinguished Grantmaker by The
Council on Foundations for his work to support and foster solutions to
both prevent and end homelessness nationwide. The Melville Charitable
Trust received the Housing Leadership Award from the National Low Income
Housing Coalition in 2004 for the Trust’s support of the National
Housing Trust Fund campaign. The Trust also received the John W. Macy
award from the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Bob was an active and tireless partner in federal policy efforts, and
was always brimming with optimism and good humor. Long after others his
age had retired, Bob spent every day determined to make a difference.
His death is a serious loss to our community.